Introduction

Yesterday, I visited Saltcoats (pop 12,000), a coastal town about 35 miles SW of Glasgow.

One of the key attractions at Saltcoats is the approx. 400m year old fossilised tree ferns on the rocky beach.

About 350m years ago, during the Carboniferous period, Scotland was part of Laurentia. This was a large continent which included North America. Sediments were eroded from mountains to the north and deposited into deltas and lagoons which experienced occasional incursions from the sea. About 300m years ago igneous rocks were pushed into the sediments (which contained coal,fossilised trees and shell fish) causing sills and dykes. This is one aspect of Scotland’s complex geology.

Tree Fern Fossil Images

Some tree ferns reached heights of 10 meters (33 feet) during the Carboniferous period.

Image no 1 is a probable whilst nos 2 and 3 are possibles.

Information on Saltcoats

Saltcoats’ name comes from the cots or small cottages associated with salt workers.

At one time there were two salt pans at Saltcoats. Sea water was evaporated to create rock salt which was in demand for curing herring.

The port was also once busy with coal and iron produced in nearby Stevenson to which Saltcoats was linked by a canal and rail line.

The town is best known as a resort and for the first two thirds of the 20th century was famous as a holiday destination.Patrons were Glaswegians who travelled by train.

View of harbour where fossils located.

Couple of passing helicopters, possibly Search and Rescue

View of Isle of Arran. Regular ferries operate to/from Arran from next door town of Ardrossan.

View of probable old saltpan

Coastal View

Masonic Lodge

Hamilton Street

Town Hall, Countess Street

Railway Station

Bobby’s Barr, Countess Street.

Countess Street

More Information.

Information on Scotland’s towns and geology can be found in Visitors’ Guide to Scotland . This book is heavily illustrated and contains a wealth of information. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.